“We found only the envelope, sir,” replied
Commander Bainbridge, while his four helpers looked
uncomfortable. “We found the envelope
tucked in a berth, under the mattress, in the quarters
of an officer of this ship.”

“And who was the officer in whose quarters you
found it?” demanded Captain Gales.

“Ensign Darrin, sir!” replied the executive
officer.

CHAPTER XV

READY FOR VERA CRUZ

“Ensign Darrin”—–­and
the Old Man’s voice was more impressive than
any officer present remembered ever to have heard it
before—–­“what do you know of
this matter?”

Though the shock had struck him like an actual blow,
Dave Darrin steadied both himself and his voice as
he replied:

“I know nothing whatever about it, sir, that
is not common knowledge to everyone in this room.”

“Then you did not take this envelope from my
room?” demanded Captain Gales.

“I did not, sir.”

“And you did not receive it from any one else?”

“I did not, sir.”

“You have no knowledge of how this envelope
came to be in your quarters?”

He looked, every inch a true-hearted young American
naval officer. Yet he was resting under a terrible
suspicion.

“You may go, gentlemen,” announced the
captain. “I ask you to see to it that
no word of this matter leaks out among the men forward.
Ensign Darrin, you will report to me at my office
just as soon as you think I have had time to reach
there before you.”

Several of the officers walked hastily away.
Others hung aloof, shaking their heads. Lieutenant
Trent led about a dozen men who pressed around Dave
Darrin, offering him their hands.

“It would take the strongest kind of proof to
make me believe anything wrong in you, Darrin,”
declared Trent.

Others in the little group offered similar words of
faith and cheer. But Dave broke away from them
after expressing his gratitude. His head very
erect and his shoulders squared, the young ensign
walked to the captain’s office.

“Darrin,” began the Old Man, “if
you are as innocent as I want to believe you to be
in this matter, then do all in your power to help
me clear your name.”

“Very good, sir,” Dave responded.
“In the first place, sir, the important letter
was in its envelope when I turned over to you the
package entrusted to me by the consul.”